According to the project's site plan, the panels will be affixed to an 11-foot pole mounted in a landscaped isle visible from the street.

Exeter Subaru owner David Yanofsky said he hopes the estimated $20,000 project will be completed by January.

“I believe we're the first dealership in the area to install a solar system and there will likely be more to follow,” he said.

According to Jeffrey Haydock of Waterline Alternative Energies — who presented the project to the board — the array will offset 2 to 3 percent of the building's energy bill.

The Planning Board hosted four meetings to discuss the project before granting approval Oct. 6. Chairwoman Janet Johnson said Yanofsky's absence at all four meetings may have extended the approval process.

“I think it could have been done in two meetings,” she said. “However because the person presenting (Haydock) was unable to answer questions that only the owner could answer, it may have taken longer than usual.”

The board's approval is conditional on a revised landscape and parking design that will include a minimum of four protective posts surrounding the array. The board also asked that no advertisements be “located, attached or affixed to any portion of the solar array structure.”

Last month, board members raised concerns about various unapproved property modifications that are not in compliance with the business' original 1993 and 1996 site plan. They discussed the addition of a spotlight behind the business, unauthorized rows of parking spaces and changes to landscaping designs.

In its approval letter, the board included a general condition reminding Yanofsky of the original plans.

Johnson said the town is in support of solar projects, but the board wants to make sure they are executed properly.

“The biggest thing for the board is that we're going see more (solar projects) and hopefully they will be done in a way that they're not necessarily an advertisement and they're placed in an appropriate place on a site so they fit in and blend in with landscaping,” she said. “We're very supportive of it and encourage it.”

Yanofsky said although it took several months, he is happy with the decision.

“From a business owner point of view I hoping it was approved day one but I understand,” he said. “In the end I think we reached a compromise that is fair to all concerned.”

Yanofsky hopes other dealerships will also consider installing solar arrays. “It's in our best interest to do it and it's the right thing to do as far as being a good corporate citizen,” he said.

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